Backed by research

Research presented at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) shows that “an acute session of moderate aerobic exercise, but not heavy aerobic or moderate strength exercises” can improve the amount and quality of sleep for people with insomnia (without resorting to pharmaceutical sleep-aids).

In this new research, 36 patients, all with primary chronic insomnia, were divided into four groups:

Moderate aerobic exercise (e.g. walking)

Intense aerobic exercise (e.g. running)

Moderate strength exercise (e.g. pilates)

A control group (no exercise)

Article continues below

Of the above 4 groups, the moderate aerobic exercise group (exercise walking) showed the most sleep improvements:

54% reduction in time it takes to fall asleep

36% less awake time during the night

37% increase in total sleep time

These findings highlight the importance of moderate physical exercise to help treat insomnia.

Spine-health publishes original articles written for patients by over 100 physician authors and peer-reviewed
by a 17 member Medical Advisory Board. This trusted, independent site is supported by hundreds of physician
members and visited by millions of patients and their physicians.

The information in Spine-health.com is not intended as a substitute for medical professional help or
advice but is to be used only as an aid in understanding back pain.